Boot Scoot Boogie

Before I start, I'm going to confess that I'm right now, at this very moment, listening to some song my daughter downloaded onto itunes by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. Oh my God! I kind of like it! It's called "Ready, Set, Don't Go."

Which is just fine, because this morning's final 20 miler was kind of like the Boot Scoot Boogie. I felt pretty good going out. I went to the bike trail because the bathrooms are finally open and the trail is sort of flat (though it does have a lot of camber). I made a goal for myself because I realized this week that that was what was missing from my runs. I was so worried about just doing what was on the paper that I forgot to make a goal for every run. So this morning my goal was to keep every mile under 11:00. For the first 16, with the inexplicable exception of Mile 9, I was successful.

10:38, 10:34, 10:18, 10:25, 10:30, 10:19, 10:30, 10:28, 11:13 (huh?), 10:27, 10:18, 10:18, 10:24, 10:59, 10:27, 10:50.

It felt easy to keep the pace and I was relaxed. Gels at miles 5, 10, and 15.

My goal for the final 4 miles was to keep it under 10:00. Mostly I was successful.

9:51, 9:53, 10:07, 9:47. I finished up feeling pretty good, but sore from the faster finish. Total running time 3:28:29. Avg. pace 10:25.

As a reward I drove to the Red Sun Farm for some fresh eggs and chickens.

It's a little strange to think that it's time to taper for a marathon that I'm not all that excited about running. Sure, I'm looking at it as a test of my ability, but I don't feel the anticipation that I did for my other marathons. I have to keep in mind that I'm leaving for Poland and Israel two days after the marathon for The March of the Living which I am very excited about.

This week I ran 44.8 miles (5 miles less than scheduled)
YTD: 548 (I totally ROCK)!

Searching for my inner ninja

I haven't posted here in over a week. My sister-in-law passed away suddenly last Tuesday. I did manage to run over 46 miles. I just didn't blog about it. Thank goodness I have running. It provided me with a few hours of quiet last week and I feel sorry for those who grieve who don't have this outlet.

So, I'm back and I'm blogging. Starting with today's run.

Last night I came up with the brilliant idea of making up my 20 mile run today instead of doing a 6 mile recovery run. It also probably had something to do with a 14 mile run on the schedule for Wednesday that conflicted with a manicure appointment, but whatever...

It was about 20 degrees with some wind when I set out, so I donned the ninja gear: balaclava, hat, jacket, windpants, beverage holster. Sunglasses provided the final menacing touch. I decided to do the big eight mile Tour de Amberley Village loop twice. The second time around I managed to stretch an additional two miles which left me with two miles to finish up on the treadmill. If I wasn't freezing my toushie off already I'd have finished up outside. Alas, I was only good for one more mile on the 'mill. As my daugher said, "why didn't you just run one more mile?" Well, 19 is all I had in me. My time was used up.

I still haven't showered. Maybe I'll wait and see how long it takes for anyone to notice. ;)

I Hate Running

I rearranged my weekend to get my long run (18 miles) in today because today's weather is gorgeous and tomorrow it's supposed to be cold and windy. I had to promise Sarah that I'd be home in time to make her bun and help her with her makeup before ballet so that meant I was going to run 15 outside and finish up the final 3 on the treadmill with American Idol.
When I set out, I was wearing a tights, a long sleeve shirt, a lightweight vest, and a running hat with a bill because rain was predicted. I ran around the loop and realized the wind was pretty bitter, even though the air was warm, so I swung by the house and changed into my NYCM jacket and picked up my sunglasses. One more wardrobe malfunction at the .5 mile mark involving my heartrate monitor and I was on my way. I listened to the soundtrack from Spirit of the Marathon for the first 5 miles. At 5 I ate a gel then had to stop at a friends to use the bathroom. We ended up chatting and I realized that I forgot to stop my Garmin, so I think that little visit ate up about 5 minutes.

I ran another loop of the neighborhood and realized that the wind had really picked up. Also, the hills were getting to me big time. By the time I got home, it was only 14 miles and almost 2:50 minutes. Whoa! Was it the wind? Was it the hills? Was it the Pfitz program? I have had so many sucky runs that are weather related that I have no way of really knowing why they suck. I checked weather.com and it indicated 19 mph winds with gusts of 34 mph. How much of an impact can that kind of wind have on the overall impact of the run?

I made it home in time to find my daughter, very distraught that I was late, thinking that I had forgotten about her bun. I quickly made the bun, did the makeup, changed my clothes and went downstairs to the treadmill. 0% grade (hey, I was hurting already), I started at 10:00 m/m, moved down to 10:54, then 12:30, then I was walking. After a mile and a half I had to call it quits. I barely made it home for the 14 -- who was I kidding that I could do 3 more on the treadmill?

Next week, I think I'm going to eliminate at least one recovery run. I honestly don't think they have anything to do with recovery -- they are just more miles and I am fatigued from so many long runs.

Super Sunday Run

So, let's talk about my run today. Not to much to say. The weather was perfect: brisk and about a sunny 35. No wind. I went a very meandering route as I only had it planned up to 8 but I had to figure out another 4 on the fly. Not easy when you're only about half a mile away from home with 3 more to go! But I did it by going up and down the streets.

Whoops! Since this is a scientific blog, I better include the data. 12 miles/ 2:06:27/ avg. pace 10:31/ avg. HR 152.

I turned it into a 3/1 not because it was scheduled that way, but because I had to pick Sarah up from Sunday school at 12:00. I made it home by 11:51. Just enough time to whip up an Endurox and get to the synagogue with 2 minutes to spare! It pays to live close when you've got Hebrew school and Sunday school to contend with.

This afternoon, when you all are watching the Super Bowl, I will be one of the few lucky parents who gets to go to the Hannah Montana 3D Concert movie. Choke. I only hope I get home in time to see Tom Petty.

Mission Accomplished

Yes! 17 miles in the bag. Mentally, I had to finish this run. I've been unable to finish my last two Sunday long runs, mostly due to weather, and I felt pressure to complete this one without any drama. Mission accomplished!

The weather was cooperative -- sunny and 30 when I started at 11 AM; 37 when I finished a little after 2 PM. For my listening pleasure, I enjoyed a couple of podrunners at 141 and 135 BPM and an episode of This American Life. I've listened to TAL for so many long runs now that they are starting to air repeats. I'm not ready for repeats, so fortunately next week is a recovery week and my long run won't be all that long.

I ended up going a little over 17 miles. It took a little over 3 hours. About 5 miles in, my husband and daughter came by in the car and cheered for me. It was great, and they wanted to be sure that I mentioned them in my blog! I thought about Tea's determination and Chas muscleing through her 12 mile run yesterday and that helped me keep on going.

Looking ahead to next week, it's a recovery week, but with the exception of the shorter long run, I don't see what's so "recovery" about it. The schedule is 8/5/8/4/12. The 5 and 4 are recovery runs, but the 8s are the usual general aerobic with strides. Some recovery!

I did finally get to sit on the couch and watch A Prairie Home Companion last night. I'm not a fan of the radio show, but the movie was somewhat entertaining. I'm going to have to go to Blockbuster because Thursday's forcast calls for "cold and windy" and that might be the day to break in the new treadmill.

WTD: 41.25
YTD: 152 (Wow! Really?)

aaaahhhh....

Ahhhh..... That's the sound of relief. I'm relieved that I got my 14 mile run done today. It was causing a significant amount of anxiety! I really felt the pressure to get it done before I moved on to 15. I was actually worried until I passed the point where I threw in the towel on Sunday.
Today is also the coldest day that I've run this year. When I took Sarah to school this morning, the car showed 16 degrees. I don't know what the temperature was when I went out to run two hours later, but I do know that both my water and my hammergels were frozen! I looked like a ninja in my windpants (over my CW-X tights), jacket, and balaclava. With the water bottle holsters strapped around my waist, I can imagine what they were thinking when I stopped in the bank to take off my mittens and try to warm up a gel (and myself).

The run felt good. I listened to Blue Man Group, which provided a nice, mindless, percussive beat to run to. Then I listened to a heartbreaking story on This American Life. It was about an American Muslim family in the U.S. after September 11 and how their children were treated so cruelly in school by both the teachers and administrators which led to the other school children taunting the Muslim kids. It was very sad. I tried to push harder the last four miles to get my heartrate up a little more. It worked, sort of.

Finish What You Start

Well, that sucked.

Actually, the run itself didn't suck. But it sucks that I didn't finish it. Everything was going well. I was listening to Sweeney Todd and time was passing quickly. It was drizzling a little, and I was wet from sweating and became chilled. I decided around mile 5 that I would stop home and change shirts when I got close to my house. But by mile 7 things started to fall apart. My right ankle started to hurt in the front. Then my left big toe started to hurt. By 7.5 I was walking. When I got home at 7.75 I decided to call it a day and try to run 14 on Tuesday instead of the scheduled eight miles. So, if it works out, maybe I can call this a Sunday/Tuesday switch except that Tuesday is supposed to be a GA run. Oh well. I guess I can try for a 3/1.

*Sigh* Isn't there a saying about "the best laid Plans?"

WTD: 33.8 (Should have been 40)
YTD: 70

Time for a Hammer Gel?

Week 2 of Pfitz 18/55 is in the books. Yee Haw!

Today's 13 miler was much better than yesterday's 5 mile recovery run. My average pace was 10:55 which is a full minute faster than my recovery run pace. My average heartrate was 150. I tried to pick it up the last three miles, but it wasn't easy considering it was loaded with steep hills. It's one instance where I can tell more from my heartrate than from my actual pace. My heartrate in the last three was 159/157/156.

I took two Hammer Gels with me and used both of them. I think they really helped to keep me from feeling fatigued. I don't see the point, for myself, of depriving myself of carbs, glycogen, calories, whatever you want to call it, on my long runs if I'm just going to feel miserable.

This American Life provided me with an entertaining episode for the first hour of the run. I ate my first gel during David Sedaris' story about people who defacate in stores. Yes, that's right. While David Sedaris was describing how there are actually people who poop in the center of clothing racks, dressing rooms, and in the center of the toilet roll holder I was squeezing a packet of tropical flavored Hammer Gel into my mouth. I shudder to think of what that might say about me. Plenty of things gross me out, but when it's time for my gel, it's time for my gel!

Blah, blah, blah

Well, I ran today. I was going for 10 miles, but made a wrong turn and ended up with 9.47. I tried to stretch it, but I just wasn't into it. In fact, I don't know if it's because I'm not "officially" training for anything but I just couldn't get motivated. It took me an hour and a half to get out of the house, and then I just wasn't having a great time out there. My pace was all over the place. But the weather was beautiful, so I can't complain about that.

I've been excited about my workouts, but I can't get into the long runs. And really, is 10 miles even a "long" run anymore?

My right achilles hurts again.

Holding on

12 miles at marathon pace. (10:03 to be exact). Can I hold it for 14.2 more miles? That's the mystery! It was tough, but I ran 4 fast yesterday and today's run was the culmination of a tough week of runs and workouts. What magic will a little rest and race day bring?

I ordered some t-shirts for my "Wolf Pack." I chose lime green because I figured I'm more likely to see a lime green human billboard in NYC than any other color. I didn't want to pay an extra 25% to ensure they would get here on time, so I'm just going to have to risk it. There will be other marathons in my future anyway. I ordered twelve shirts from CustomInk.com.

WTD: 35.1
YTD: 1256.48 (I think)

50 Down -- Whoo Hoo!!

My last 20 of the cycle is in the books. I have now completed three 50+ mile training weeks in the course of eighteen weeks. If I hadn't followed along in Marilena's blog when she worked Hal's Intermediate II program last spring, I never would have imagined that I could do it too.

Officially, I ran 20.25 miles in 3:40:52 for an average pace of 10:54. In my mind, I was doing a 3/1 and was running the last five at marathon pace, but in reality, those laps were 10:16, 10:21, 12:05 (???), 10:23, 11:03, and 10:25. Hmmm..... If I can't do it in training, how the heck am I supposed to do it in a marathon??? Anybody know the answer to this? Again, I feel like I am going into a marathon with no idea how my training will translate to the actual race.

Highlights of the run were 1) I got to run with my rabbi for about a half a mile at mile 4, 2) I took three hammergels and they were very tasty -- I recommend them over any other brand of gel, and 3) because I was surprised by another runner during an impromptu potty stop I have chafing for the first time in training. I scouted for a good spot for over two miles. Where'd this guy come from???

So now, I have to stay sharp for the next three weeks. I'll do some speed work and some hill repeats. There's alot going on between now and the end of the month. Before I know it, it'll be November 2 and we'll be off to NY.

WTD: 51.25
YTD: 1221.38

Crazy Train

Ok, I have officially taken a ride on the Crazy Train. Why would any sane person run 22 miles? Only someone who is certifiably crazy would pull such a stunt on an out and back trail. I'd like to introduce you to that person. Her name is Natalie.

For some idiotic reason, that I thought was actually based on careful thought and research, I decided that 20 miles wasn't enough. My body needed to be taught that when we hit the 20 mile mark in the marathon we're not done yet. 22 seemed like a reasonable number. 23 seemed like it might kill me; 22 did not.

I got to the Little Miami trail a little before 8 this morning. Can you believe I had to wear a long sleeve shirt over my sleeveless top to start? And gloves! It was 40 something degrees and I was freezing. I had slept fitfully last night, waking up periodically thinking about how many miles I'd go in each direction so as to make it a perfect 22 with no opportunity to wimp out. I started out going south on the trail. I've never gone south for more than 5 miles, but it was so nice and quiet that I continued the same way for 7 miles. Unfortunately, that meant 14 miles without a bathroom! Back at the start, I took care of business and headed north(ish) on the trail for 4 miles where there is another bathroom. 4 back to my car and I logged 22.

I brought Skyline home for the rest of the family, had an ice bath, a warm shower and washed my car. Tomorrow I get a massage. Right now I need a nap.

WTD: 52
MTD: 183.34 (lifetime monthly high)
YTD: 1149.69

41 Down

17 Miles in the bank! Whoo Hoo! The last couple of miles were a little rough -- my legs were really feeling the cumulative effect of this high mileage week. The weather was gorgeous and I finished in 3:07:22 which averages 11:01 minute/miles. I kept thinking "I wish I was done!"

Now that I am done, I still haven't showered. Once I do, I can't wait to get into Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (No. 5). I am enjoying the series very much now. It's funny because when they first came out and I was reading them out loud to my kids, I couldn't stand it. I was so glad when they could read them on their own and I gave up after the third installment. Now I can't wait to see what happens next. They are so clever! For example, what language do Goblins speak? Gobbledygook! How funny is that?

I'm going to go come up with a race report. Click on the "41 Down" for more boring detail on my out and back 17 miler.

WTD: 41
YTD: 949.35

WTF?

16 miles. 3 hours. If I ever decide to run the Alps Marathon I may run this course again. Otherwise, Who's crazy idea was it to map a new route today, anyway? This course was ridiculous. I mapped it on Logmyrun and imported it into my Garmin so I wouldn't get lost. I thought it might be a little hilly, but for God's sake! I didn't plan on climbing any mountains today! I should have worn my crampons. From now on, I think I'll stick with boring even if it means driving 20 minutes to the bike trail. I need me some FLAT.

P.S. It looks from the chart that I only did 15.5 miles, but I actually did the full 16.1. I turned my timer off while waiting for traffic and it was at least a half mile before I realized it. What happened to the "smooth" feature on the Garmin? What's that mean, anyway? Also, I guess I need to work on this but for the second day in a row, my virtual partner finished when I was only half-way done. Doesn't seem like a very fair race to me.

When You Fight Fire with Fire

As I write this, 10,000 Maniacs is blasting through our house and patio speakers. This is my husband's idea of funny, although to his credit, he did admit to being embarrassed to do it, but after all, it's almost 10 AM. Why am I listening to Natalie Merchant at a screaming decible? I mean, I like her, but it's even loud enough to be annoying to me. The reason is that last night, our next door neighbors had a party. Not just any party though. It seems they hosted a fundraiser for their church last night that included a "live band" (if you call an off-key singer/electric guitar strummer a band) that played on their deck until after 2 AM. This guy sang ear bending covers of Neil Young until I thought I would have to go over and bring them a CD of the real thing. Hey, I realize that not everyone gets up early to go running. I think midnight is reasonable for a loud house party with whatever kind of band you want. But we don't live next door to a nightclub!

Despite the late night, I did get up at 6 AM with the alarm clock and was out for my 10 mile run by 7:00. Nothing exciting to report. Average pace -- 10:59 which is about exactly where it should be for a long run. Next week is a huge step-up and I'm feeling apprehensive about it. I'll feel more confident once I'm writing about it on Sunday afternoon.

This was a successful week. No runs skipped. No workouts skipped. Diet could use some improvement.

WTD: 30.1
YTD: 876.40

Now That's More Like It!

I woke up at 5:00 -- Yuk. I was out the door by ten till six. It was dark. It was muggy. It was 72 degrees. The air felt gross. The condensation on my frozen Gatorade bottles on my amphipod started dripping down my skirt. By the first mile I was soaked. This is beating the heat?

As it started to get light, I picked up a slight breeze. Thunderstorms were predicted today. Still, when I stopped to fill up my bottles at the hospital, I was completely drenched. I told the receptionist that I didn't think I would be much wetter if I'd gone swimming. Four more miles to go.

At Mile 12 the rain came. This was the kind of rain that comes out of the sky all at one time. Big, splashy raindrops -- almost, but not quite -- like a million little needles. It's okay though, I'm already soaked. Now I'm just a little more, um, soaked. The thing that worried me was that thunder came with the rain. Loud and close. I don't carry a cell phone, so I cut over to a strip mall where there's a neighborhood coffee shop. What? Closed on Sundays? What's with that?
The rain let up a little, so I continued on home. By the time I got there, the sun was peeking out, but it was just a ruse. There's no sun today.

14 miles in the books. Not bad pacing for a long run. My goal was 11 minute miles and my average pace was 10:56. Almost right on the money. 2:33 minutes.

WTD: 30.1 (4 miles short of training plan)
YTD: 846.30

13 Miles Take 2: Mind Over Body

After being laid flat by cramps this morning, I spent half the day in my P.J.s. I knew I had to do this 13 miler today or I would never make it up tomorrow.

My plan was to wait until this evening when the weather would be cooler. At 2:30 I looked on Weather.com and saw that cooler temps wouldn't arrive until 10:00PM. I'm not a nighttime runner, so that left me no choice. I'd have to just do it during the heat of the afternoon. First, though, I plotted out a 13 mile course on mapmyrun.com and loaded it onto my Garmin. How cool! It gave me a map and pointed me in the right direction throughout my run.

At 3:15 it was 84 degrees and the sun was shining. I started running and thought "it's really pretty warm out here." An hour later, Scott found me with the car and brought me a cold water. It was 88 degrees and still sunny. An hour after that, when Scott delivered another bottle of water, it was cooling off -- 86 degrees.

I shuffled through the miles. I had mild cramps when I started, but didn't pay too much attention because of the heat and the fact that I slowed so much that my gait changed thus causing my legs to get tired and sore. All along I kept thinking to myself: "MIND OVER BODY. MIND OVER BODY."

I'm not sure how much I drank, but I know it was alot. I started with 4 7 oz bottles, filled them all up at least once and had 2 16 oz botttles of water delivered to me. Some got poured over me. I drank the rest. I would say too that it's useful for other reasons to wear a skirt, but that might be TMI. Guys, you don't know how lucky you are.

I stopped at exactly 13 miles. Not a step further. I got it done. I'm still on schedule.

WTD: 31YTD: 816.20

End of Week 3

Just because it's a step-back week, does it have to be easy?

I chose one of my more difficult routes for 8. The first 4 miles are easy, but the last four really bite. In fact, I knew it would be hard, but just to make it more challanging, one of the roads I run on was undergoing some "construction." Ok, to be specific, the entire road was gone and all that was left was dirt and rock. The sidewalks were being replaced and the road and driveways hadn't yet been completed so I couldn't run on the sidewalks without having to jump up onto them every few feet. AND it was completely uphill. In fact, the last 4 miles is uphill all the way.

I finished in 1:27. Avg. pace: 10:57. My slowest mile was on the unpaved road construction road and it was 11:44.

WTD: 26.37
YTD: 785.20

Just Plodding Along...

I was able to get up and do a long run today. I'm home and finished and my daughter is still not awake yet. At 1.5 miles I was ready to turn around and go home, but why? I would still be waiting for Sarah to wake up before I could go to the hospital anyway. I may as well finish. Physically, it felt fairly easy. Mentally it was a tough run. When my mind is distracted, like it is now, I can't just let go and run. I walked a little towards the end and welcomed the traffic lights that forced me to stop. There was no particular reason that I had to stop and walk. I just did.

I ran 10.77 miles; average pace 10:46.

I guess all that worry about whether I would be able to run was just wasted energy. I've discovered that when your child is nearly 17 and can speak for himself, there is no reason to exhaust myself by sleeping at the hospital. My husband got up when I did and is already there. We'll trade off all day. I think Freddie might be coming home tomorrow.

WTD: 28:71
YTD: 734:80

The Nest is Full Again: End of Week 1

The kids have been at camp for nearly a month and Scott and I can measure our time alone in empty bottles of wine. This last week, especially, we've added five bottles to the recycling bin. We haven't accomplished this feat alone, but always with friends. Like the few short years before the kids came along and demanded that their social lives and entertainment come first, we were able to enjoy just. . . being. No set schedules. No carpools. No homework or text messages. We ate when and what we wanted. We slept when we wanted. We even hit golf balls together. Best of all, we had time to join our friends for dinners and even tried three new restaurants. That's more adventure than we are able to squeeze into eleven months with three kids in the house!

This morning I paid the price, somewhat, for enjoying all that wine and good food. With the kids arriving at 10:30 and ten miles on the schedule for me, I had to get up early to both beat the heat and the bus. That meant five hours of sleep when the alarm clock woke me at 5:45AM. But I was out the door by 6:45. The first mile was wonderfully pleasant, but by 7:00 the sun makes it's presence known and the humidity is almost choking. Add to that last night's wine, and well, let's just say it was a long ten miles. At least it felt interminable to me, but my pace was right on target for a long run. Actually, maybe even a little fast. My average pace was 10:48 when it probably should have been more like 11:00 or 11:15.

It's just so difficult to run that slow now. I know I need to, but it feels like a shuffle. The good news is, this is only the end of week one. I have 17 more weeks to work on it.

WTD: 27.9
YTD: 734